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Lucca - San Michele in Foro
Lucca existed already in Etruscan times and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The Diocese of Lucca dates back to the first century, legends tell, that St. Paulinus, a disciple of St. Peter, was the first Bishop of Lucca. In medieval times Lucca was the residence of the Margraves of Tuscany. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), Lucca constituted itself as an independent republic. Actually the "Republic of Lucca" existed from 1160 to 1805.
San Michele in Foro was built over the ancient Roman forum in the center of Lucca. A church existed right here already end of the 9th century. Pope Alexander II, who had been bishop in Lucca before he made carreer in Rome , started the construction of the church, seen here, after 1070.
It took centuries to complete this building. Diotisalvi and Guidetto da Como have worked here in the 13th century. Unfortunately (for me!) it is not always clear, wether the ornaments are 13th century - or a result of the renovation of the 19th century. Here is the top part of the facade and here are inlays, that are for sure not medieval.
The elephant is anatomically correct, what is more than unusual for the 13th century. If this inlay would be 13th century, then the artist must have been in Cremona before, as the only elephant recorded in Italy in medieval times was Frederick II´s "Cremona elephant". Somebody in Lucca told me, that some of the heads seen here, portray celebrities of the 19th century.
The statue of Archangel Michael on top is about 4m/13ft high.
San Michele in Foro was built over the ancient Roman forum in the center of Lucca. A church existed right here already end of the 9th century. Pope Alexander II, who had been bishop in Lucca before he made carreer in Rome , started the construction of the church, seen here, after 1070.
It took centuries to complete this building. Diotisalvi and Guidetto da Como have worked here in the 13th century. Unfortunately (for me!) it is not always clear, wether the ornaments are 13th century - or a result of the renovation of the 19th century. Here is the top part of the facade and here are inlays, that are for sure not medieval.
The elephant is anatomically correct, what is more than unusual for the 13th century. If this inlay would be 13th century, then the artist must have been in Cremona before, as the only elephant recorded in Italy in medieval times was Frederick II´s "Cremona elephant". Somebody in Lucca told me, that some of the heads seen here, portray celebrities of the 19th century.
The statue of Archangel Michael on top is about 4m/13ft high.
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